UAE: One helicopter crew member dead; rescue operations ongoing, says GCAA

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the West Asia region and its impact on air travel between India and countries in the region. Airlines are undertaking necessary operational adjustments in view of the prevailing conditions to ensure passenger safety and the orderly conduct of flight operations.

At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Yasser Laaroussi, from the ECO FAWN Society, during General Debate under Item 3, in his oral statement, highlighted the terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. He urged the international community to intensify efforts to combat terrorism and ensure accountability for attacks targeting civilians

"We reject this statement made by Pakistan on the matter. India's credentials regarding non-proliferation are impeccable and well recognised by the global community. A country with a well-documented history of clandestine nuclear proliferation can hardly preach the virtues of export controls and proliferation risks. Such ludicrous statements are nothing more than an attempt by Pakistan to distract from its own abysmal record," he said.

An Indian crew member was killed after the US-owned tanker Safesea Vishnu was attacked by an explosive-laden speedboat near Basra, Iraq. India confirmed that 15 other Indian sailors were successfully evacuated and are receiving diplomatic assistance as regional maritime security challenges continue to escalate.

India's Consul General in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, met Ant Group leadership to discuss fintech and digital economy opportunities. This follows high-level engagements with Shanghai's Mayor, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Reform, Perform and Transform" mantra to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the SCO and BRICS.

The UAE has led a successful UN diplomatic push, with the Security Council adopting Resolution 2817 to condemn Iran's "egregious attacks." Co-sponsored by 140 nations, the resolution demands an end to "indiscriminate strikes" and affirms the UAE's right to self-defence against threats to its sovereignty and civilian infrastructure.

The UAE has activated air defences to intercept an Iranian missile and drone attack, advising residents to "remain in a safe location." Authorities have intercepted over 1,700 threats since the conflict began. While most were neutralised, hostilities have tragically caused six deaths and 131 injuries among various nationalities.

The high-level discussion focused on expanding bilateral cooperation, with Zaki announcing Australia's readiness to cooperate with Kerala in education and industry, focusing on job opportunities in healthcare.

MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing an Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia, said that the Indian Embassy in Tehran remains fully operational and is on high alert. The government is assisting Indian nationals, including students and pilgrims, who wish to leave the country. He further added that those choosing to exit Iran via land, the embassy is assisting citizens in crossing into Armenia and Azerbaijan, from where they can board commercial flights to return to India.

The Indian Army and the French Army conducted a Subject Matter Expert Exchange on March 9 and 10, aimed at strengthening professional military cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding on evolving aspects of modern warfare.